Citizen Dave: Sarah Manski and the messed up Madison school board election

I know Sarah and Ben Manski, and I wish them well in California. Congratulations to Ben for getting into a prestigious graduate program there.

But graduate schools don't just call you up out of the blue and say you're in! It's not like the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes -- you plan for this.

So, the question is, if Sarah Manski knew that her husband had a good chance of getting into school out there, and she knew she would go with him, then why did she run for school board in the first place? And while she was running, why didn't she disclose that possibility?

Both Manskis have put transparency and concern about the process at the center of their careers. So why was it lacking here?

Full disclosure: I supported Ananda Mirilli, the third place finisher in last week's primary. I hope that Ananda will run a write-in campaign, not because I've got anything against the lone surviving active candidate on the ballot, TJ Mertz, but because I think we deserve a choice.

Our schools are among the two or three most important assets for the city. Who shapes school policy is a crucial decision for the community, and that choice should be informed by a spirited and friendly clash of ideas. For some inexplicable reason, Sarah Manski gave us that and then took it away.